by Lynn Hagen
“I’ll send Gandalf or Frodo to help.” She hung up.
Payton pulled his phone away from his ear and blinked rapidly at it. Had she really hung up on him?
Payton had no choice but to break his promise to himself. If emergency workers weren’t coming, he needed to enlist someone else’s help. Bilbo Baggins needed him, and Payton wouldn’t let him down.
“Why are you calling me so late?” Pyke asked groggily.
“Bilbo is stuck in my porch!” Payton explained what happened. Now that he thought about it, maybe he should have told the dispatcher that Bilbo was a damn cat and not the actual character that needed rescuing.
“How?” Pyke sounded more awake, and Payton was glad his ex was taking him more seriously than the dispatcher had.
“I just told you how.” He was surprised Pyke couldn’t hear Bilbo’s baleful moans. They were loud as shit and should have woken his neighbors.
“I know someone who can help you,” Pyke said. “His name is Russell Hughes. I’ll call him right now.”
Why hadn’t Payton called Russell first? That would have been the smart thing to do, but he wasn’t thinking clearly. He was panicking.
“That’s the guy who fixed my steps. Please hurry.” Payton was near tears. “He’s been stuck in there for two days. I’m beside myself.”
“I’ll call you right back.” Pyke hung up.
Payton checked each seal around the steps but didn’t see any way he would be able to get Bilbo out by himself. Russell had done an excellent job and the steps were sealed tight. Payton had to rely on his ex to come to the rescue, and at this point, he didn’t care who helped him.
“Don’t worry, buddy. I’m gonna get you out even if I have to smash the steps to get you.” Though Payton would rather rescue Bilbo in a way that didn’t destroy seven hundred dollars’ worth of work. He would though. If it came down to it, he would.
Payton jumped when his phone rang. “Pyke?”
“Hey, Russell wasn’t available, but he’s sending one of his workers. Miller Revello. Sit tight, Payton. He should be there soon.”
Payton wiped the tears from his eyes. “I know you can’t stand me, but thank you for helping me.”
“I couldn’t stand you while we were dating. We had a toxic relationship, but as a friend, I don’t mind helping you, Payton.”
That made him feel even worse knowing how badly he’d treated Pyke.
“Now I’m going back to sleep. Let me know how Bilbo is doing.”
“I will. Thank you.” Payton hung up and thought about calling Sherman for moral support, but he tucked his phone into his pocket as he hurried back inside for a blanket.
Bilbo would need it when he was rescued.
Chapter Two
Never in Miller’s life had he gotten an emergency call to get an animal out of a brick porch. This was a first for him, and Miller was more than curious to know how it had happened in the first place.
He pulled his work truck into the driveway of a white house with dark green trim. The front lawn could barely be thought of as a yard considering how small it was, and there was a pine tree smack-dab in the middle of the grass, making the yard seem even smaller.
In the driveway, Miller parked behind a silver two-door sedan. He saw someone standing by the side door, rubbing his arms as he stared right at him.
“Okay, Loki, stay put while I help this poor guy out.” He patted his German shepherd on the head. “I shouldn’t be too long, and then I’ll take you for a run afterward.”
Loki wagged his tail, his tongue sticking out the side of his mouth.
Miller got out and walked toward the waiting man. Fuck, Russell hadn’t told him how gorgeous the guy was. “Hi, I’m Miller.”
He stuck his hand out, and the guy shook it. Even in the cold the stranger’s hand was silky soft. Miller didn’t want to let it go. The stranger had red hair, jade-green eyes, and was short and slim, simply perfect, but Miller had to remain professional. This was a service call, not a booty call.
“I’m Payton.” The sexy redhead pointed to his steps. “I just had these repaired, and Bilbo must have gotten inside before they were sealed. Can you hear him?”
Payton slapped his hand on the stone step, as if that was the cat’s cue to meow, which it did, and loudly.
“Holy shit.” Miller rubbed his jaw as he stared wide-eyed. “There really is a cat in there.”
“That’s what I tried to tell the 911 operator, but she thought I was on drugs.” He pointed to the top step. “You can probably pop that slab without causing too much damage. But if it comes down to saving the steps or saving my furball, then get a sledgehammer.”
“Why did the operator think you were on drugs?” Miller’s gaze kept bouncing from Payton to the steps where he heard the mournful cries.
“Because I kept calling my cat by his name, Bilbo Baggins, and I might have forgotten to mention that it was a cat instead of a character.”
Miller grinned. “Now I’m getting the bigger picture. Let me get a crowbar from my truck. I’ll try my best not to damage anything.”
The cold wind blew as Miller dug through his toolbox, coming away with what he’d been looking for. He also grabbed a mallet before returning. From the phone call he’d gotten from Russell, this was one of Russell’s projects, and he’d brought along his new hire. Miller wasn’t sure how long Hank would last considering the guy was slow, not that knowledgeable when it came to this kind of work, and seemed to have no desire to work.
Miller still wasn’t sure why Russell had hired the guy in the first place.
“You might want to step back, handsome. I don’t want you getting hurt.” Unable to help himself, Miller winked at him. “I’ll have Bilbo Baggins free in no time.”
“Really?” Payton had a small blanket in his hands, which he clutched to his chest. “Oh my god, you’re a lifesaver.”
Miller tucked the sharp, flat end of the crowbar right under the lip of the top step. If he could pop the concrete like a lid without damaging it, then he would be happy and could save Payton from having to pay to have the step replaced.
He’d lifted his arm that held the mallet, ready to swing, when the wind changed course, carrying Payton’s scent to him.
His jaguar went completely nuts, making him almost drop the mallet. Fresh-baked bread and peppermints filled his nostrils. He paused and took a hard look at the redhead with pretty green eyes.
His heart quickened, as his jaguar was still trying to get free to get to Payton. Fucking hell. Miller was staring right at his mate.
There was no other explanation for his cat going apeshit and the amazing scent that infiltrated his lungs. Who knew that he would find his mate on a late-night cat rescue call? He was surprised that he’d lived in Maple Grove for a year and the two had never run into each other before now. It wasn’t as if this town was that big.
“Is something wrong?” Payton frowned. “Do you need me to help?”
Miller cleared his throat. “No problem. Let’s get Bilbo out of there and back into your arms.”
Payton laid a hand on Miller’s arm, and it felt warm against him, even with barriers and the cold wind. His touch also sent Miller’s body into overdrive. “Thank you so much for doing this for me.”
With a nod, Miller waited until Payton backed up and then swung the mallet. On the first try the step “popped” like a lid on a Pringles can, allowing Miller to set his tools aside and remove the slab.
“Oh my.” Payton leaned in closer. “I had no idea it went so deep under there. Look, the space even goes around a corner.”
“See if your cat will come when you call it.” Because Miller’s cat sure as shit wanted to rub all over Payton. His skin felt tight, and he was determined not to let his canines descend. As hard as Miller fought not to think about it, images of Payton bent over a couch, his ass exposed, plagued Miller’s mind.
It was the pull, that million-year-old evolutionary drive that had Miller hard and needy. Th
ank fuck he had some self-control, or he would have been all over Payton by now.
“Bilbo,” Payton said in a gentle voice. He made a kissing sound that wasn’t helping Miller’s partial erection. “Come here, you bad boy. Come to daddy.”
Nothing. Not even a meow. At least not from Bilbo. Miller’s jaguar was ready to “come to daddy” and make Payton the one who purred as he… Shit, he needed to stop thinking about seducing the guy while Payton was trying to rescue his pet.
Payton pulled a small container from his coat pocket and shook it. Miller realized the plastic container had treats in it. Smart move.
His mate shook it like the treat container was a maraca, but Bilbo still refused to show himself. Payton looked at him. “What am I going to do if he doesn’t come out? I can’t leave that step open. It’s dangerous, and some strays might try to find warmth in there.”
“I got an idea.” Miller walked to the passenger door of his truck and let Loki out. The German shepherd climbed down and stayed at Miller’s side as they walked back to Payton.
“Um, what are you doing?” Payton shifted his slight weight from one leg to the other as he stared from Loki to Miller. He frowned and moved slightly, as if to block Loki from going anywhere near the steps.
Miller hunkered down and scratched Loki behind his ears. “The space is too tight for me to climb in, and I’m not letting you go in there because of safety precautions. Loki will find Bilbo and bring him out.”
“But don’t dogs and cats hate each other?” Payton looked worried as he stared at Loki. “I don’t want him eating my cat.”
“Nah.” Miller stood. “Loki is a retired rescue canine. He knows exactly what he’s doing. He’ll get Bilbo out without harming him.”
“If he kills my cat, I’m… Sorry, I don’t mean to threaten you when all you’re trying to do is help me. It’s a flaw of mine I’m trying to work on.”
Miller wasn’t sure what to think of the redhead. One moment he was docile, and the next, he looked as though he would neuter Miller and Loki if Bilbo were hurt.
“Isn’t Loki the god of mischief?” Payton smiled, and damn if that wasn’t a gorgeous look on him.
“He came with that name, but he can get into mischief from time to time.” Miller turned to his dog. “Loki, seek.”
The German shepherd worked his way inside the large gap and crawled out of sight. Miller grimaced when he heard the cat hiss. “I think I should be more worried about Bilbo hurting Loki.”
“Well, he’s a bit bossy and, at times, pissy,” Payton said. “I guess animal and owner do start acting like each other over time.”
“I think that should be that they start to look like each other over time.”
Payton snorted. “Not in this case.”
His mate bent toward the gap, sticking his head inside. He jerked back and yelped. “There’s a ton of spider webs in there, and spider eggs. Oh my god. I wish I hadn’t looked. Now that’s all I’m going to think about, an invasion of spiders under my house.”
Moments later Loki stuck his head out of the hole, a very ornery cat dangling from his mouth. Loki was carrying Bilbo by his scruff, and Bilbo was swinging his claws, trying to get free.
“Thank god!” Payton wrapped his terrified cat into the small blanket and curled him to his chest. “Are you okay? Let’s get you something to eat and drink.” He turned to Miller. “I can’t thank you enough. Would you like some coffee?”
Miller didn’t usually drink coffee at this later hour, but he accepted. He would have accepted an invitation to anything Payton had to offer just as long as he was able to spend more time with his mate.
“And if I had a doggie treat, I would give you one.” Payton patted Loki on the head while Bilbo hissed at the dog.
Miller wasn’t sure if the cat was just scared or if he really didn’t like dogs. He followed Payton into the house, thankful for the warmth. “You really don’t have to go through any trouble.”
“Nonsense. You rescued my cat. I owe you. I mean besides paying you for a house call. I just want to show my appreciation.”
Miller looked around, but his gaze kept landing on his mate’s backside. “I have a soft spot for animals.” He took a seat at the table, Loki resting at his feet. It hadn’t gone unnoticed that, even though it was close to Christmas, Payton didn’t have any decorations. Not a single one. Didn’t he believe in the holiday?
In truth, it was Miller’s favorite time of the year. There was something about the holiday that made things seem so magical. He was glad he’d found his mate, because now he didn’t have to spend the holiday alone.
“I can see you have a soft spot. Your dog is very well trained.” Payton started the coffeepot, Bilbo still tucked in his arms. “You said he used to be a rescue dog?”
“Yep.” Miller scratched one of Loki’s ears. “I used to work for the NYFD. I retired about a year ago.”
Payton set the cat down, and Bilbo ran to his food bowl but kept an eye on Miller and Loki. “Retired?” Payton was bent over, but looked over toward where Miller sat. “Aren’t you too young to retire? Oh my goodness, were you injured? Is that why?”
He didn’t want to lie to Payton, but Miller wasn’t sure if right now was the time to tell his mate the truth. He’d “retired” because he’d been with the fire department for over a decade, and while others aged, Miller hadn’t. He’d loved his work, had been passionate about it, but if he hadn’t left, people would have started to get suspicious.
“I misspoke,” he said. “I didn’t mean to say retired. I just decided I needed a change of pace. Maple Grove seemed the perfect small town to settle down in.”
That wasn’t a lie. Miller loved this town, though he did miss the action of a big city. Now he worked with Russell Hughes doing odd handyman jobs. Not that he needed the money. He just didn’t want to sit around on his ass doing nothing, so he’d talked with Russell and loved using his hands as a carpenter.
“So you came here and decided to work as a contractor?” Payton poured two mugs of coffee, set them on the table, and then went for cream and sugar, bringing them back with him as he sat.
“I wouldn’t say contractor. I just help Russell around town.” Miller took a sip and winced. He usually liked his coffee stronger, but it wasn’t that bad, just a bit weak. “What do you do for a living?”
“I think I have some cookies around here somewhere.” Payton got up and started searching his cupboards. “They always go perfect with coffee.”
Hmm. Now Miller wanted to know why Payton was avoiding his questions.
* * * *
Payton was sure he didn’t have any cookies, but he didn’t want to answer Miller’s question. He’d inherited some money from his nana, and he didn’t want Miller interested in him for that.
The guy was smoking hot, and Payton had already been distracted enough by the guy’s good looks. Payton’s ex had been gorgeous, but there was something about Miller that was different. He couldn’t put his finger on it, but it almost felt as if they’d known each other since forever.
And that made him nervous. From what he’d seen so far, which wasn’t much, Miller seemed like a real nice guy, and Payton had a habit of fucking things up with those he was interested in.
It was some kind of curse. It had to be. Look what had happened with Pyke. And before him, there had been Richie, a trainer at a local gym. He avoided Payton at all costs.
He just couldn’t seem to get it right when it came to dating guys, and not that Miller was interested in him, but Payton feared he would screw this up, too.
Payton blamed his parents for his messed-up views on how a relationship worked. They were a hot mess, and Payton couldn’t recall a time when they didn’t argue, didn’t try to kill each other, or call each other ugly names.
He never understood why they didn’t just divorce, but they hadn’t, making his childhood and adult life miserable. When you grew up with that kind of example, you were doomed to fail.
Pyke ha
d called their relationship toxic—and rightfully so—but Payton’s parents won the grand prize in that category.
At least Payton didn’t break his things when he was pissed. His mother was an expert at flying projectiles, his dad a pro at ducking. So many things had been destroyed in their home that Payton was surprised he’d survived his childhood.
“The coffee is just fine,” Miller said. “I should be going, though. It’s late, and I’m pretty sure you need some sleep. You’ve been through an ordeal.”
“My cat has been through an ordeal.” Payton finally gave up his futile attempt at finding those elusive cookies. “And from the looks of it, he’s just fine now.”
Bilbo sat by his bowls, giving himself a bath. He hadn’t hidden himself and wasn’t trembling. His cat was a true thug. The feline looked at Payton and then strutted off, but not before stopping where Loki lay and hissing.
“Bilbo! Be nice to our company. They saved your ass from dying inside a brick porch.” Payton shook his head. “He has no manners.” He sighed as he sat, tucking one leg under him. “Now I have to call those men back to fix that top step. I just want to thank you again for what you did.”
He shivered just thinking about seeing that hairy ass crack again. Sherman would get a kick out of it, though. That was if he came around for the second repair.
“I can fix that step for you,” Miller offered. “No charge.”
One of Payton’s eyebrows lifted. “What’s the catch?”
No one did things for free. Even Payton knew that. There was always a motive behind someone’s kindness, and he wanted to know the reason Miller would forgo being paid. It sure as hell wasn’t because of the coffee. Even Payton had to admit that he should have made it stronger. He could barely taste the flavor of the beans.
“There’s no catch.” Miller got up and set his cup in the sink.
Payton damn near drooled over the guy’s backside. It looked as if he did a thousand squats a day. And his upper body? Payton’s fingers tingled to touch the guy’s muscles.
